Listing of the Day
Location: New Town, Tasmania, Australia
Price: Offers in excess of A$4 million (US$5.7 million)
When this grand Gothic Revival mansion was built in 1887, it was constructed from high-quality sandstone imported from England and Scotland.
Known as Stoke House, the stately 20-room, three-level mansion has been carefully and artfully restored by its current owners and is now on the market for the first time in more than 15 years.
"It is one of Tasmania’s largest and most spectacular mansions," listing agent Deb Stephens said. "It is a private sanctuary on just over 4,400 square meters of beautiful well-established gardens."
Stoke House was built by Sir John Dodd, lieutenant governor of Tasmania in the 1880s, and no expense was spared in the construction and sourcing of materials, she said.
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Currently used as a primary residence, the house has drawn interest from other primary home buyers, Ms. Stephens said. And "other buyers are interested in changing the use to boutique accommodations and are wanting to open up the gardens and house for wedding ceremonies and wedding photography."
The primary living rooms and kitchen are on the ground floor, and a sitting room on this level could be used as a bedroom. The country-style kitchen has an electric oven with a gas cooktop and an island bench on castors that moves easily.
The second level has most of the bedrooms, several bathrooms, a minstrel gallery and a small-but-practical galley kitchen for guests or an evening snack.
The third level, former servants quarters, has two attic bedrooms, a bathroom and access to the tower and roof.
The elegant home boasts many original and ornate architectural details, including Italian mosaic tiling laid by Italian craftsmen, handcrafted timber fireplace mantels, a Waterford chandelier, hand-turned blackwood staircase and bannister, and the extensive use of a variety of Australian timbers.
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Other features include a grand, fully restored ballroom, 14- and 12-foot ceiling heights, ornate ceiling moldings, stained glass windows, high skirting boards and brass fittings.
The restored gardens that surround the house feature fruit trees, vegetables, aromatic and decorative flowers and great climbing trees for children.
Stats
The 1,025-square-meter (11,000-square-foot) house has nine bedrooms, six full bathrooms and one partial bathroom. These include an upstairs flat originally designed for a caretaker/servants with its own entrance and two bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen and bathroom. The house sits on a 1.09-acre lot.
Amenities
Amenities include 11 fireplaces, a cellar, a tower room, electric front gates, and a three-car garage with storage for gardening tools.
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Neighborhood Notes
"The Friends’ School, an independent co-educational school based on the Quaker vision, which is very popular and exclusive, is less than a block away," Ms. Stephens said.
The North Hobart restaurant district and Hill Street Grocer, a popular deli that sells fresh fruit, groceries and alcohol, are within a 10-minute walk, she said.
The city center of Hobart is within a five-minute drive.
Agent: Deb Stephens, EIS Property
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